I was not sure what to expect from the guild. They were an organisation that offered a variety of services. Like escorts, monster hunting, or the acquisition of rare resources. There were rumours about more shady offers too.

“Adventurers don’t have any standards, so be wary.” Cassie warned me.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“They take anyone who can fight. There are no manners required. And as long as they don’t break any major laws they usually don’t get kicked out of the guild either.” Cassie said.

“It’s not that bad, mostly.” Helena said.

“They have a bad reputation because they don’t fawn over the nobility.” Skadi added.

“It’s more than that. They are a large fighting force and therefore they are regulated quite heavily.” Helena explained. “Not in regards to who their members are, but there are limitations to the kind of jobs they can take. Or how large their groups are.”

“So the nobles don’t want them too independent. Which creates friction and is the reason a lot of them are rude?” I asked.

“Partially yes. It depends a bit on the noble. Some like to work with the guild. Mostly smaller nobles who do not have a sizable force themselves.” Helena said.

“Have you worked with them?” I asked.

“My parents hire them to protect caravans. Most of them are good people. You just have to avoid some of the more shady groups.” Skadi said.

“My father works with them on occasion. We protect the northern border from monsters and they hunt in the same area.” Helena said.

“My mother avoids them and often told me how vile they are. I have never actually worked with an adventurer myself.” Cassie admitted.

“Are they not responsible for a lot of the alchemy ingredients you use?” I wondered.

“Um… maybe?” Cassie blushed. “I never thought about that. I guess they are the main suppliers for alchemy shops.”

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“Why don’t people buy from the guild directly?” I wondered.

“You can buy and sell at the guild. But some ingredients need to be preserved or further processed and are sold to specialists. And often an alchemy shop will have a deal with the guild so stuff is sold to them first. Further, a lot of shopkeepers hire the guild to bring them supplies.” Skadi explained.

The guild headquarters were a sturdy two story building. It did not look fancy but it was well maintained. There was a hitching post right next to the entrance.

“Can we leave the supplies here, unguarded?” I asked.

“I can wait here.” Cassie offered.

“Sure, I will wait with you.” I said.

“It should not take long.” Skadi assured us. Then she entered with Helena.

“What are we doing afterwards? Food?” I asked Cassie.

Before she could reply we were interrupted.

“Abomination!” Someone shouted.

We turned towards the speaker. It was a human woman with blond hair and a white robe. She was carrying a long staff with a white crystal at the top. She was accompanied by two men wearing chainmail. They had arming swords at their belt and a shield on their back.

We carried arming swords as well. There was always a chance of someone coming after me and it was not uncommon for recruits to wear a weapon. But we had no armour, only our uniform.

“Undead should be eradicated! Not paraded around like a pet!” The woman complained while staring at Nyx, who was currently on my head.

“Undead are perfectly legal.” Cassie said. “You are being rude.” She pointed out.

“Who are you?” I asked. Also, I started pulling some mana into my body. I could always vent it, if it was not needed.

“The likes of you do not deserve my name. I will smite this abomination and give you a chance to repent!” She raised her arm and pointed towards Nyx.

My undead companion was not idle. I felt her jump from my head and saw her grow during her flight. At the same time, I used my mana to erect a shield. One of the woman’s companions stepped in front of her and blocked the pounce. He went down hard.

The woman unleashed her spell. A bright glowing bolt missed Nyx and hit my barrier. The other guard drew his weapon and shield. He was just in time to block a bottle flying his way. Sadly, for him, it exploded and unleashed a black smoke. He began to cough violently.

The man on the ground screamed as claws and teeth tore into him. The woman looked shocked and hesitated. This was my chance, I dropped the shield and prepared a necrotic bolt. A big one. This was a mage of unknown power. I fired. Just before my dart impacted, she conjured a shimmering barrier. It shattered.

“STOP!” Someone shouted. A squad of soldiers was running our way. “EVERYONE STAND DOWN!”

I kept an eye on the enemy mage but did not cast another spell. Nyx abandoned her prey and moved in front of me. The guard she had mauled looked dead. The other one was on the ground coughing.

“They attacked me!” The mage shouted. “Arrest them!”

The soldiers ignored her. “Recruits, report.” The man in charge said.

We saluted. “Sir, this woman attacked us. She claimed my undead was an abomination.” I reported.

“Sir, we were waiting for our friends who are inside the guild. We did nothing to provoke this lady.” Cassie said.

“Bloody fools from Ilestria, always making trouble.” The man in charge said, while shaking his head.

“WHAT? ARREST THEM!” The woman screamed.

“Lady, you have attacked recruits of the royal military academy. We will have to arrest you. Men, take her away. And this one too.” He pointed at the coughing man. He smiled as his soldiers bound the screaming woman and dragged her away.

“Ah, you made my day, girls. This lunatic has been preaching for a week. Claims to be some sort of priestess. But she never broke the law, until now.” He pulled a notebook from his pocket. “I will need your names for my report.”

“Koyuki.”

“Cassie Ashburn.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.” He said. “Oh, and you can have the body. Spares us the cleanup.” He chuckled.